The History of the Italian Home for Children (Event Video)

The Italian Home for Children celebrated its centennial in 2019. In 1918, the influenza epidemic devastated Boston's congested North End and left hundreds of orphans in its wake. Touched by this crisis, a Roman Catholic priest and a group of Italian Americans founded the first home for Italian children in Massachusetts. Franciscan Sisters devoted 24 hours a day to providing the children with a safe, loving, and spiritual environment. In addition, the home provided educational support for its residents. Over time, the changing needs of children mandated that the agency change the nature of its services from custodial care to treatment. In 1974, in response to the changing political and social climate, the agency became the Italian Home for Children. Today, it is a nonprofit, nonsectarian residential treatment facility in Jamaica Plain with a capacity for 61 children of all races, nationalities, and religions. The speakers are the current CEO of the Italian Home, Susan Keays and the former Executive Director, Christopher Smalls.

This event was held on September 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium on the Italian Home for Children’s campus. Click on the triangle below to watch the presentation. 

LocalesJamaica Plain Historical Societyevent video